Automatic vacuum-maintaining apparatus.



C. A.' FLINN.

AUTOMATIC VACUUM MAINTAINING APPARATUS.

APIPLICATION FILED SEPT- 30. I9I5.

Patented June 18, 1918.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAUDE A. FLINN, 0F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO ADVANCE PUMP & COMPBESSER COMPANY, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC VACUUM-MAINTAINING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 18,1918.

Application filed September 30, 1915. Serial No. 53,378.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLAUDE A. FLINN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Vacuum- Maintaining Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic vacuum maintaining apparatus.

The main object of this invention is to provide an improved vacuum maintaining apparatus for heating systems, vacuum pans and other like systems and apparatus where a wet vacuum should be maintained with a reservoir for trapping the condensation and returning such condensation to the boiler or the like.

Further object is to provide an apparatus having these features which is simple and v compact in its arrangement of parts and very effective for the purpose intended.

Further objects, and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in.

the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a side view of a structure embodying the features of my invention, various parts being shown in conventional form only, as their structural details are not a part of this invention and as suitable devices adapted for the purpose are on the market. 1 I

Fig. II is a vertical central section through the reservoir, the pumps, motors and their control means being omitted.

Fig. III is an enlarged elevation of the control switch for the liquid pump motor.

In the drawing similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the gage 4.. It is also preferably provided with a pressure gage 5.

A liquid pump 6, shown mainly in conventionalform is connected to the reservoir at its bottom by means of the pipe 7. The

pump is provided with a discharge 8 which returns the condensation to the boiler or as may be desired. The pump 6 is driven by the electric motor 9. This electric motor is controlled by a switch, a device designated generally by the numeral 10, and comprising a lever 11 having a switch arm 12 pivotally mounted thereon and provided with a projecting pin 13 coacting with the tappet member 14 on the switch lever. This switch arm 12 carries a contact plate 15 adapted to coact with the contacts 16. Aronsiderable movement of the lever is provided for before such movement is imparted to the switch arm.

The switch lever is provided with a plate 17 coactinglwith the contacts 18. The con-' liquid in the reservoir, the switch is closed and opened, thus starting and stopping the motor.

The desired degree of vacuum is maintained by the air pump 26 which is connected at the top of the reservoir to the connection 27 This connection has a downwardly facing valve seat 28. See Fig. II. The ball valve 29 is supported by the open cage 30 to coact with this valve seat, the valve being raised against its seat should the reservoir vents the liquid passing to the air pump. The valve 29 is held normally open,closing by the suction of the air pump being prevented by means of the float to which it is connected as by the chain 31. It will be seen, however, that when the float rises .above a predetermined point, the valve is become filled with liquid. This pre- 32, both the motor and air pump being shown in conventional form. This motor 32 is controlled by a pressure control switch, designated generally by the numeral 33. lhis control device comprises a cylinder with a disk-like plunger 34: therein urged normally upward by the spring 35, the plunger being held down by the vacuum within the reservoir to which the lower end of the cylinder is connected by the connection 36. The plunger is provided with a rod 37 connected by the levers 38 and link 38' to the switch 39 controlling the air pump driving motor.

With. this arrangement of arts, the vacuum is automatically maintained within the system or apparatus and the condensation automatically returned to the boilers or otherwise as desired. In the event of the reservoir being flooded, the air pump connection is closed, but the valve to this connection. is held normally opened by the float so that it is not closed by the suction of the pump.

My improvements are illustrated in a simple and practical embodiment, the details, however, may be varied to meet the particular requirements, the structure illustrated in the accompanying drawings being mainly illustrative of my improvements and as it is believed the disclosure made will enable the adaptation thereof to the requirements of particular installations the various modifications contemplated are not-"illustrated or described. I

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent is:

1. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a reservoir adapted to be connected to a vacuum system to receive the condensation therefrom, a liquid pump connected to said reservoir at the bottom thereof, a driving motor for said liquid pump, a control switch for said motor; a float within said reservoir having an operating connection to said switch, an air pump connected to said reservoir at the top thereof, the air pump connection being provided with a downwardly facing valve seat, a ball valve adapted to coact with said valve seat, an open cage supporting said ball valve below recess? said seat so that said valve is raised against its seat should the reservoir become filled with liquid, a connection for said float to said valve so that said valve is held open by the float when the liquid in the reservoir is below a predetermined level, a driving motor for said air pump, a control switch for said air pump motor, and a pressure controlled actuating means for said air pump switch connected to said reservoir.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a reservoir adapted to be connected to a vacuum system to receive the condensation therefrom, a liquid pump connected to said reservoir at the bottom thereof, a driving motor for said liquid pump, a control switch for said motor, a float within said reservoir having an operating connection to said control switch, an air pump connected to said reservoir at the top thereof, a valve for said air pump connection adapted to close should the reservoir become filled with liquid, :1. connection from said float to said valve so that said valve is held open by the fioat when the liquid in the reservoir is below a predetermined level, a' driving motor for said air pump, a control switch for said air pump motor, and a pressure controlled actuating means for said air pump switch connected to said reservoir.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a reservoir adapted to be connected to a vacuum system to receive the condensation therefrom, a liquid pump connected to said reservoir at the bottom thereof, a driving motor for said liquid pump, a control switch for said motor, a float within said reservoir having an operating connection to said control switch, means for producing a vacuum connected to the top of said reservoir, a valve for said connection, and a connection from said. float to said valve so that said valve is held open by the float when the liquid in the reservoir is below a predetermined level.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presence of two witnesses. I

C. A. FLINN. [Ls] Witnesses:

A. A. GRAY, C. B. GRAY. 

